Breathalyzers on the quarterdeck good or bad?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:01:12 -0400

I read the following story and wanted to get your opinions.

http://www.navytimes.com/article/20141004/NEWS/310040033/Experts-Breath-tests-can-lead-punishment?sf31979205=1

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 10:15 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:15:41 -0400

I agree with the legal experts ... this was touted only as a training tool. We (the Navy) have to be cautious how we use these breathalyzers, they are NOT infallible.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 4 at 2014 10:24 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:24:11 -0400

PO1 Adam White,

While not a sailor, I do not believe this is a good idea at all. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen need to be able to act and behave as adults. One of the choices we make as an adults is to drink or not to drink. While I agree that drinking to excess is not so good. Individual rights and liberties need to be protected, even for service members.

If driving, implied consent laws require you to provide a sample of your breath, blood, or urine depending on the state in which you are licensed for the purpose of analysis if it is suspected you are driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or substance. Unless you are actually driving the ship or reporting for duty, I fail to see the point.

My view, solely my view. We need to get back to individual accountability combined with trust in our leaders and subordinates. If you screw up you are held accountable. If you are a leader you present the message.

SFC Joseph M. Finck USA (Ret)

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 4 at 2014 10:39 PM

COL Randall C. — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:39:24 -0400

While I agree with PO1 Private RallyPoint Member that you have to be cautious how to use the results, in cases where (like the story) that person could be endangering others (in the XO's case, driving while under the influence, or the example of being on watch while under the influence), let the dogs loose and see what they discover.

In the story, if the XO exercised even a modest amount of good judgement and stayed on board as advised or even called a cab if he absolutely had to go somewhere, there wouldn't have been an issue. According to other stories, Sailors aboard the ship observed signs of intoxication in Ramirez and he was offered the chance to sleep on the ship but declined to do so. As a Navy spokesman said, “He chose instead to leave and drive his car, and that's what got him in trouble.”

I have absolutely zero sympathy for idiots like this. He was obviously intoxicated (assuming it is even somewhat accurate and assuming about a weight around 200, a .114 would indicate that he had more than a six-pack of beer, got into his car, and drove to the ship.

He's damn lucky he didn't kill anyone on the way there.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 4 at 2014 10:51 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:51:35 -0400

Depends on how it is used and applied. I have heard one misuse already but I think it can be a useful tool also. Really torn about it.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Oct 4 at 2014 11:06 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 23:06:25 -0400

I had heard that it was more problematic if a Sailor left the ship drunk, than to return to the ship drunk. Of course that was because of the removal of booze from the ships in 1915. Of course that did not stop some enterprising engineers to set up some sort of still. Even the Docs on board had alcohol for "medicinal purposes." (notice the quotes)

But today with the smaller force, its almost come to the point of there will be no shore leave because of alcohol. Even the other branches have similar problems. So what to do. What the Navy is doing with these breath tests, as the article says, is a slippery slope. It has to be used with a grain of salt.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 11:21 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 23:21:44 -0400

This could be good or bad depending on the way it is used, as a former MP I've seen way too many Soldiers come into PMO for a breath test. As a former Marine I'm glad I didn't have to face this when I was on ship.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 11:44 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 23:44:58 -0400

I read the that intent and the application are not the same. further I see that the Navy is using the results as a basis to launch and investigation. It sounds as if the application would not be legal as there is no proof in the example given of what the Cmdr was charged with. I think this is a bad idea. I agree maybe should be used before coming on Duty, that I may be able to swallow, but I see this as a violation of rights.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 5 at 2014 1:24 AM

SPC David S. — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 01:24:43 -0400

The XO should have recognized this as an opportunity to mitigate risk to self and others. Yet he decided to drive on after just haven performed a sobriety test which he failed. The issue of how the results entered into play is questionable. Was he under investigation or not when the test was administered. No, but because of the results he was investigated and the results that started the whole thing were used.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 12:01 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:01:46 -0400

Perfect way to catch people who drink and drive.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 5:23 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 17:23:59 -0400

Wow, what in the world. Why do people like fucking people over so much nowadays, this is horrible. Just another tool to get people in trouble, this is unbelievable. Whats next, inspections on residences outside of base?

This is disgusting, the fact that people think its a good idea is just typical. I don't know why I honestly thought the results would be different, I should already know better. Navy is full of people who like to screw over their shipmates and then preach one team one fight.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 11:24 PM

SN Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 23:24:03 -0400

those other 41 percent are from the alcoholics still allowed in the navy lol

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 13 at 2015 9:58 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 09:58:56 -0400

Its amazing what today's military will tolerate. I can't imagine in my wildest dreams of a MCPO administering a breathalyzer test to a Commander (usually an O-5) unless he consented. There may be some thought of giving one to anyone suspected of being inebriated by the Duty Officer to protect the individual and the public. Try doing that at the entrance of the Capital Building or the White House, perhaps the Pentagon, see how it works out. I'm surprised we have a volunteer military anymore.